Several U.S. states have issued urgent warnings that food aid benefits, including those from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), may not be distributed in November if the federal government shutdown extends into its fourth week.
Over 41 million Americans rely on SNAP, and nearly 7 million depend on WIC for their basic nutritional needs. State officials in Minnesota, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas have indicated that if the shutdown persists beyond October 27, they will be unable to issue November benefits.
The shutdown, now the second-longest in U.S. history, has resulted from a deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over spending bills. Democrats are withholding votes to prevent significant increases in health insurance costs. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has warned that without a resolution by November, SNAP benefits will “go away.”
Food banks, already under strain due to rising demand, are preparing for potential disruptions. National and state anti-hunger groups are advising SNAP and WIC recipients to anticipate possible benefit gaps. Without federal funding, many food banks may be unable to distribute food, worsening food insecurity across the country.